Fresh ideas from the south

Voters in San Joaquin County's 5th supervisorial district are blessed with two strong, competent candidates.

Voters in San Joaquin County's 5th supervisorial district are blessed with two strong, competent candidates.

Tracy Councilman Bob Elliott and Tracy Planning Commissioner Rhodesia Ransom both offer deep public service resumés and considerable knowledge of area issues.

However, it is Ransom who brings the greatest energy to the race and the freshest ideas. She offers the added asset of racial and gender diversity to a board where neither has much history.

To be sure, Elliott, a former Green Beret, has 30 years of military team- building and leadership experience as well as his City Council service.

Ransom, however, has wider countywide experience in addition to her time on the Tracy Planning Commission. She's served on two county grand juries, service that gave her an up-close view of county agencies and their operations.

Both candidates oppose Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed tunnels under the Delta to convey more water to the south Valley and Southern California. But Ransom has a more developed understanding of water issues generally and the Delta bypass plan specifically. About the tunnel plan, she said, the "science doesn't back it up and the numbers don't add up."

In our view, District 5 voters cannot make a mistake in this election. Both candidates are that strong. We just believe Ransom is the stronger, more county-wise candidate who will bring more energy and a much-needed dose of diversity to a board long dominated by middle-aged white males.